usatvline Chapter 37 Whoever performs well will be taken along.
Chapter 37 Whoever performs well will be taken along.
It was the third day of the seventh lunar month, around dusk.
Summer downpours come without warning. The sky, which still held a few rays of sunset glow at dusk, was swallowed up in an instant by thick, leaden clouds.
The gale whipped up large raindrops that pounded against the glazed tiles of the palace, creating a dense, crackling sound, like thousands of drumbeats beating at once.
Rainwater cascaded down the eaves like a waterfall, forming a white curtain of water on both sides of the palace path.
The flowers and trees in the courtyard swayed wildly in the wind and rain, their petals and leaves being swept up and swirling in the air before finally mingling with the muddy water.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, however, lay a scene of enchanting spring beauty, a stark contrast to the outside world.
All twelve gilded palace lanterns were lit, illuminating the imperial bedroom as if it were daytime.
The bronze incense burners with auspicious beasts at the four corners emitted wisps of green smoke, the ambergris mingling with the woman's unique fragrance, intertwining and lingering in the warm air.
Qin Mu leaned back on a large, carved rosewood couch, wearing only a black silk nightgown draped casually over his shoulders, the front of which was half-open, revealing his well-defined chest.
He rested his chin on one hand, while toying with a white jade wine cup in the other, the amber liquid inside gleaming alluringly under the lamplight.
Beside the soft couch, on either side, nestled two stunningly beautiful women.
On the left is Consort Su Wanqing.
Today she wore a light red gauze nightgown, the fabric so thin it was almost transparent, and you could vaguely see the light pink blouse embroidered with twin lotus flowers underneath.
Her long hair was loosely tied into a bun, with only a red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin inserted. As she leaned slightly forward, the tassels of the hairpin swayed gently, reflecting tiny golden light under the candlelight.
At this moment, she was kneeling beside Qin Mu, her slender hands holding a plate of peeled crystal grapes, feeding them to Qin Mu one by one.
Each time she fed a grape, she would first bring it close to her lips and gently blow on it, as if to blow away the non-existent heat from the grape.
This movement caused her full breasts to almost touch Qin Mu's arm, the curves of her body faintly visible beneath the thin gauze.
"Your Majesty, is it sweet?"
Su Wanqing's voice was so soft it could melt water, her peach blossom eyes curved into crescents, and her gaze was full of charm.
Qin Mu opened his mouth and took a grape in, lightly tracing her cheek with his fingertip: "Sweet, but not as sweet as my beloved concubine."
Su Wanqing blushed and gave him a coquettish glance: "Your Majesty always makes fun of me."
On the right is Consort Wan, Lu Wanning.
Unlike Su Wanqing's charming and outgoing nature, Lu Wanning wore a pale yellow nightgown embroidered with white magnolias today, the fabric of which was also light and thin.
However, the style is relatively conservative, with only the collar and cuffs embroidered with delicate intertwined floral patterns in silver thread.
She was kneeling at Qin Mu's feet, carefully massaging his calves.
Her technique was noticeably less refined than Su Wanqing's, but she was more focused and attentive, pressing each acupoint precisely.
When she occasionally looked up at Qin Mu, her almond-shaped eyes revealed undisguised admiration and dependence.
"Your Majesty, is the force just right?" Lu Wanning asked softly, her voice tinged with nervousness.
"It's acceptable." Qin Mu closed his eyes, enjoying the beauty's service, his fingers gently tapping on the armrest of the soft couch in a soothing rhythm.
Outside the hall, wind and rain raged, but inside, a warm fragrance filled the air.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning tore through the night sky, followed by a thunderclap that seemed to make the entire palace tremble.
Lu Wanning gasped softly in fright and instinctively moved closer to Qin Mu.
Although Su Wanqing's face also paled slightly, she quickly calmed down and even joked with a smile:
"Sister Wan is still so timid. With His Majesty here, even the Thunder God and Lightning Goddess wouldn't dare to act recklessly."
Lu Wanning blushed and said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty was simply caught off guard."
Qin Mu opened his eyes, looked at the white rain curtain outside the window, and suddenly said, "Tomorrow, I will leave the palace."
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall paused subtly.
Su Wanqing's hand, which was feeding grapes, froze in mid-air.
Lu Wanning paused in her massage movements.
Both pairs of beautiful eyes looked at Qin Mu at the same time.
They knew, of course, that His Majesty was leaving the palace.
The news of the new sect leader's enthronement ceremony of the Qinglan Sword Sect had spread throughout the palace half a month in advance.
These past few days, the palace has been abuzz with discussion, with everyone speculating whether His Majesty will go and who he will take with him.
They just didn't expect His Majesty to say it in this way at this time.
"His Majesty……"
Su Wanqing was the first to react. She put down the grape plate, snuggled closer to Qin Mu, and said in a soft voice, "How long will you be gone? Your Majesty... I will miss you."
Lu Wanning also looked up, her eyes brimming with tears: "Your Majesty, do you really have to go? It's so dangerous outside...it's too dangerous outside."
Qin Mu watched the two men's completely different reactions and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
He reached out and put his arm around Su Wanqing's waist, and with his other hand lifted Lu Wanning's chin:
"What, you can't bear to part with me?"
"Of course I can't bear to part with it!"
Su Wanqing did not hesitate.
"Your Majesty's departure will last at least seven or eight days. I don't know how I will endure such a long time without seeing Your Majesty."
She spoke with such sincerity that her eyes actually welled up with tears.
Lu Wanning nodded, her voice choked with emotion: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty will pray for His Majesty every day, wishing for His Majesty's safe return soon."
Qin Mu laughed, released the two of them, and leaned back on the soft couch: "It's just going to Qinglan Mountain to attend a ceremony, not going to the battlefield. Why are you two so nervous?"
Su Wanqing's eyes darted around, and she suddenly leaned closer, almost touching Qin Mu's ear, her breath sweet as orchids: "Your Majesty... could you take me with you?"
She paused, then added, "I've heard that Qinglan Mountain is a beautiful place, covered in wildflowers at this time of year. It's absolutely gorgeous. I... would like to accompany Your Majesty to see it."
Upon hearing this, Lu Wanning's eyes lit up, and she timidly said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty also wishes to go. I can attend to Your Majesty's daily needs and entertain you..."
Qin Mu raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two faces: "You both want to go?"
"Yes!" they both said in unison.
Su Wanqing wrapped her arms around Qin Mu's neck, practically hanging on him: "Your Majesty, please agree~ I promise to be good and not cause Your Majesty any trouble."
Although Lu Wanning didn't dare to be as audacious as Su Wanqing, she still mustered her courage and gently shook Qin Mu's sleeve, her eyes full of pleading: "Your Majesty... I beg you."
Qin Mu let the two of them act coquettishly, slowly swirling the wine glass in his hand. After a long while, he finally spoke:
"Taking you there isn't necessarily a bad idea..."
A look of surprise immediately shone in their eyes.
"...However," Qin Mu changed the subject, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, "it depends on your performance tonight."
As soon as the words were spoken, Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning were stunned for a moment, and then their cheeks flushed red at the same time.
They certainly understand what "performance" means.
Su Wanqing bit her lip, a hint of shyness flashing in her eyes. She stood up, walked to Qin Mu, and then slowly knelt down.
It wasn't the usual dignified kneeling posture.
Instead, kneel on both knees, keep your upper body straight, and place your hands on your thighs with your hands folded together.
This pose made her already slender waist appear even more delicate, while her full breasts were almost bursting out from under her thin nightgown.
She tilted her head back, the candlelight flickering in her eyes, and her red lips parted slightly: "Your Majesty... how would you like me to perform?"
Her voice was soft and seductive, with a hooking quality.
Seeing Su Wanqing's bold actions, Lu Wanning blushed even more, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, a struggle flashing in her eyes.
She also wanted to "show off," hoping to please His Majesty as boldly and directly as Su Wanqing.
But... she couldn't do it.
Her upbringing and inherent reserve prevented her from being as unrestrained as Su Wanqing.
Qin Mu took in both of their reactions.
He reached out and lifted Su Wanqing's chin with his fingertips: "What do you think, my beloved consort?"
Su Wanqing's eyes held an even stronger allure.
She didn't answer; instead, she took immediate action.
The candlelight shone from the side, casting flickering shadows on her face. Her peach blossom eyes shimmered with tears, and her red lips were slightly parted, revealing a delicate pink tongue that gently licked the corner of her lips.
A highly suggestive action.
Qin Mu's eyes darkened slightly.
Seeing this, Su Wanqing knew she had done the right thing.
She no longer hesitated...
"Well……"
Qin Mu let out a low groan and ran his fingers through Su Wanqing's hair.
Lu Wanning knelt to the side, watching the scene before her, her cheeks burning hot.
She instinctively tried to look away, but her gaze seemed to be nailed to the spot, and she couldn't look away no matter what she did.
A strange feeling, mixed with shame and curiosity, surged within her.
"Consort Wan".
Qin Mu suddenly spoke, his voice already somewhat hoarse.
Lu Wanning trembled all over: "Your Majesty..."
"come over."
Lu Wanning bit her lip and moved to Qin Mu's other side.
Qin Mu reached out and pulled her into his arms, then lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Outside the palace, the rain poured down like a waterfall.
The rain lashed against the palace's glazed tiles, cascading down the eaves and splashing countless droplets onto the bluestone ground.
A gale swept through the long corridor, carrying rain and mist. The palace lanterns swayed violently in the wind and rain, casting flickering shadows.
Occasionally, lightning would rip through the night sky, instantly illuminating the world in a stark white light, followed by deafening thunder, as if the heavens themselves were being torn apart.
The palace maids on duty huddled under the eaves, listening to the faint sounds coming from inside the palace. They all kept their eyes down, wishing they were deaf and blind.
Yunluan, clad in silver armor, stood ramrod straight beside the pillars outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Rain was blown in by the wind, wetting her shoulder armor and cloak, but she remained motionless, like a cold sculpture.
Only those eyes, as cold as stars, would occasionally flash with a complex emotion that was extremely difficult to detect when they swept across the palace gate.
Inside the hall, the candlelight flickered.
After an unknown amount of time, everything gradually calmed down.
Qin Mu leaned back on the soft couch, his chest rising and falling slightly.
Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning nestled in his arms on either side, both exhausted and drenched in sweat.
"Your Majesty..." Su Wanqing struggled to sit up, her fingers tracing circles on Qin Mu's chest, her voice sweet and seductive, "Did I...did I perform well?"
Qin Mu glanced down at her and smiled, "It's acceptable."
Disappointment flashed in Su Wanqing's eyes, but she quickly smiled again: "Then... Your Majesty has agreed to take me?"
"Um."
Su Wanqing immediately beamed with joy, and despite her aching body, she leaned forward and kissed Qin Mu on the cheek: "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"
Lu Wanning also raised her eyes and asked timidly, "Your Majesty...where is your concubine?"
Qin Mu pinched her cheek: "You go too."
Lu Wanning's eyes instantly lit up with a pure and intense light that made Qin Mu pause for a moment.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!" she said repeatedly, her voice filled with undisguised joy.
Qin Mu looked at the two happy women in his arms, a faint tenderness flashing in his eyes, but it quickly returned to its usual deep gaze.
He looked up at the still torrential rain outside the hall.
We're leaving tomorrow.
Qinglan Mountain...
Xu Longxiang...
Jiang Qingxue...
And then there's the mysterious Empress Li Yang...
The scene is finally about to reach its climax.
"Go to sleep." Qin Mu patted the two of them. "We have to leave early tomorrow morning, so make sure you're well-rested."
"Yes." The two obediently responded, snuggled in his arms, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
The candlelight dimmed, and silence returned to the hall.
Only the sound of wind and rain outside the window remained noisy.